a blog from Modern Quilt Studio

what? no knitting in public?

I will freely admit that I was raised in a family that felt it was important to be well-mannered. Manners, I was told at a young age, are the grease that turns the wheels of polite society. Miss Manners’ columns in the paper were frequently read aloud so all would know the rulings on various socially awkward situations. While I’m not a formal person, I do think manners are a sign of respect toward others and I try my best to be polite to everyone from my husband to the mail carrier.

In some ways this has hindered me socially because I take offense at behavior that other people find acceptable. Had I not been brainwashed about social graces, life would be easier for me and I wouldn’t get so grumpy at people who don’t RSVP for parties, for example. When only 6 out of 20 parents respond to a party invitation I get frustrated. Then there’s my favorite, “I think we’ll be able to make it…” to which I always want to respond, “then I might decide to cook enough food for you too.” Make a commitment. It’s two days away, I’ve got food to prepare–yes or no. I had to work hard to be polite to the mom who called to RSVP 15 minutes before the Easter Egg Hunt was to start. What’s with that? I envy people who can be easy-going about this.

So I was really astonished to read in my favorite advice column “Ask Amy” written by Amy Dickinson that some people really take offense at people who knit in public. Wow, that was never on the very long list of social offenses that I was given. Chewing gum, smoking, wearing a hat indoors if you’re male, talking with your mouth full, I thought I knew them all, but KNITTING?

A reader wrote to Amy about a woman who was at his weekend home. The guests and hosts were all sitting around chatting throughout the day. One guest had brought her knitting and was knitting while also participating in the conversation. The host found this really offensive and a sign that the guest was bored. In ensuing columns Amy has received lots of mail, mostly divided along gender lines, with men saying that they take offense if someone is knitting while they’re trying to talk. The female writers claim that the men don’t knit so they don’t realize that you can knit and pay attention to the conversation at the same time.

This kind of reminded me of the conversation with a friend whose husband had installed a home theater system and wanted to watch a movie with the lights off. His wife, a mother of three, said to me, “Who watches a movie without folding laundry?” If I can’t knit when I’m visiting with friends, when would be the time to knit? Am I supposed to knit in private so no one takes offense? I can’t even count the number of people I must have offended over the years over this one. At most family gatherings that I remember at least one person was working on a needlepoint canvas or maybe knitting. Frequently there would be several people at once working on various projects. I think it’s lovely to watch people do handwork and see their progress over the course of the visit. And frankly there’s no way I’m not working on needlework if there’s a football game on the TV that everyone else is watching.

So here’s where I wouldn’t knit: no knitting at religious services –no weddings, funerals or garden-variety worship services. I couldn’t believe it when on two different occasions I was teaching a quilting workshop and there were people knitting the whole time. There were things that they were supposed to be looking at and they were looking at their knitting. That seemed distracting to the other students too. I would never knit in a class of any sort or if there were a very serious conversation going on that required my undivided attention and eye contact. Any formal event, like a special dinner or cocktail party at someone’s house would be off-limits because I think I should be offering to help or mingle (a skill I will never, ever master). Friends in Japan teased me for doing needlework on the train, which I didn’t think was rude but was unconventional there. One knitting friend has the rule that you need two projects at a time to work on: one that is challenging and requires concentration like lacework or a complicated pattern that requires counting. Then she says that you also need a project that is brainless for when you’re chatting with a group and want to be able to look up and be a part of the conversation.

So what’s your take? Where is it OK to knit or do any other type of handwork and which situations are inappropriate? And if there’s a man in your household, what’s his take? I can’t wait to read your responses.

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23 thoughts on “what? no knitting in public?”

I almost never watch television or sit around without something to do with my hands. Crochet, tatting, needlework, etc. I have even been known to do needlework in church and in choir practice depending on my deadline!

Are you kidding me??? I never ever take a chance that I might have to sit someplace for more than 30 minutes without my knitting. If anyone has a problem with it, the problem is theirs…they probably don’t know how to knit!

I *always* have some sort of handwork project with me. When I’m in a group setting I let people know that I’ll actually be able to pay *more* attention to the conversation if my hands are busy. I don’t know if it’s undiagnosed ADD or just productive multitasking, but just sitting and talking makes my mind wander. I always bring along mindless projects for those chatting-in-a-group times so I can really focus on the conversation and not on the stitch count.

At one religious service I attended there were several knitters in the congregation. It didn’t bother me to see them … *except* when they knit when in the choir. There is no way that any knitting would be acceptable in my current congregation. Gasp! I blush to even consider it :-)

I’m excited to read the responses to this post … what an interesting topic.

It wasn’t so long ago that everyone knew the phrase “idle hands are the devil’s workshop (or “tools”),” right? With the advent of easily manufactured and affordable goods, I think people over time have forgotten what every evening was like in homes throughout the world before then: noone sat and chatted idly–it wasted precious time, candle and/or lamp light, and hours. i think it’s hard for many people to wrap their brains around having the ability to work with your hands and still be mentally engaged since it’s no longer a part of their daily lives, or even their parents’ lives.

I pretty much always have some knitting with me — for the commute, hanging out with friends, even poker games! I have had a couple of non-knitting friends make snide comments (you’re not paying enough attention to me while I’m whining about my ex/my kids/my job!) but mostly people just want to kniow what I’m working on and wish they knew how to knit, too.

Disclaimer: I do not knit. I have tried but my hands have a mind of their own. Soooo…as a non-knitter who has immense respect for someone who can knit, I am just realizing I have mixed feelings about someone knitting when they are attending a function which requires even casual conversation or attention. My mom brings her knitting when she visits but she’s family…not a guest. That doesn’t bother me…and I enjoy seeing what she’s working on. I don’t care if people knit at their kids baseball game or in a waiting room or on a train…basically, when they are in their own little world. But…hypothetically, if I were to have a book group meeting at my house, I don’t think I would want someone sitting there knitting. It makes me feel like they would rather be…knitting…than be part of the group. I understand they can multitask but from where I sit…they are telling me they refuse to make a choice between knitting & book group. To me, it’s the same as someone chatting on their computer or texting during a group activity. Yes…I can text and socialize at the same time…but I only do that in an emergency. Anyhow, I think this is a fun conversation…and I don’t even mind if you are knitting when you’re reading my response.

Wow i never thought about my knitting, crocheting or cross stitch as a possibly offensive behavior. I carry it with me 99% of the time. Maybe I just get bored too easily. I do however admit that there are times I put it down but that’s usually because I have picked up something else or I am eating. (just kidding….I can crochet and eat)

I think knitting in public is totally acceptable. I do it on the bus (unless it’s too crowded and there is no elbow room). I do also do it when I’m hanging out chatting. It makes me listen instead of chattering the whole time. But i wouldn’t do it at a restaurant or occasion/party. Just casual hanging out.

I don’t knit much, but do hand applique in public sometimes. Generally, I do it when I am with close friends or family or in a large group where it won’t be distracting to others. The bus/train/coffee shop/doctor’s office are definitely OK. I think most people who knit or do other handwork are not offended by other people knitting.

In a small group, you can always ask and judge by how they respond whether it will bother them or not.

Not a knitter, but I am not bothered by people knitting…
I do try to applique, finish bindings by hand – but I “have” to do that in private. (I have rarely been successful in doing that while watching TV let alone any other activity.)
I’m with you on the RSVP & don’t get me started on how/when/where people use their cell phones & what they are talking about!

This is my first comment, but I went back & read each & every one of your posts!

I have one question/request. Do you clients ever send you photos of their quilts insitu? I would love to see people living with them.

The two books of your that I own are my favorites. When someone asks my opinion on what book to buy, I always suggest your books. I use “Once upon a time” regulary as a gift quilt & I found Plain Spoken to be an exceptional pattern – even though I flubbed it by using fat quarters…

I have sewn bindings during discussion groups, but only for gifts for people in the group and not every week, so they wouldn’t think it rude. I did grow up with aunts doing cross stitch around the campfire, though (in daylight) and during conversation so I hardly find it rude.

I’ve knit since I was about 8 years old–my first project was a doll blanket. From long practice, I can readily knit a simple stitch without looking, which I am grateful for. In high school, I knit in my classes (ended in college when one teacher asked me to stop). Now I knit at meetings–it helps me gather my thoughts before speaking, and to stay quiet when it’s better I not speak–and I get the pleasure of making something too! I look people in the eye from time to time, so they know that I’m paying attention. I also keep the knitting under the table, so it’s not distracting to others. I tried bringing applique for a meeting or two, but that one has to look at. My knitting may bother some people, but no one has ever said anything, and it’s too important to my mental well-being for me to stop–even while I know some people might prefer that I do. But if I’m running a meeting, I don’t knit–takes too much else to keep track of then.

I’m a college professor, and though I don’t have many students who knit in class, I don’t have a problem with those that do. I always ask them about what they’re making and tell them that I’m a knitter too. I know that knitting bothers some of my colleagues, both men and women, and that faculty members who knit are generally tolerant of students who knit in class.

I usually have multiple had projects going at once, and I always have a project I refer to as “movie knitting:” something very simple I can knit in a darkened movie theatre. I don’t knit in many social situations, but I have knitted at a few long and/or informal departmental meetings.

Not a knitter myself but I really have trouble understanding why people would be offended. Texting, talking on your cell phone, playing a game on your cell phone–those are distracting. You’re actually looking at a little screen. Most people I know who knit can do it without really thinking too much, and we have conversations like normal people do. In college my roommate knit in class all the time, and all through medical school as well. She participated in discussions and did well.

Situations where I would be averse to knitting–probably religious services, couples therapy sessions maybe, a staff meeting? Anything else is fine.

Earlier this month, at the Association of Women Surgeons Annual Meeting, I spotted a surgeon knitting. During a break in the scientific presentations, I turned around to find a fellow attendee working on a beautiful black lace piece. This was a first for me as I had heard of other surgeon knitters but not actually met a public surgeon knitter. She told me that she was once on a committee where her colleagues commented that they knew she felt comfortable in the group because she pulled out her knitting.

I , too, was raised to believe that good manners were everything. But as an adult I have decided that I get to decide how I will act. I will always be nice to my elders, sit up straight at the dinner table, say please and thank you, and generally treat people as I would like to be treated. What I ask from THEM is to tell me straight up if I am offending them. Otherwise, if I am participating in the conversation while I have knitting in hand, I’m good.

PS I spent last night ONE MORE TIME sitting there reading The Modern Quilt Workshop. What a WONDERFUL book.

What an interesting conversation. First, I totally identify with being brought up to be so polite that people with different attitudes are infuriating. As for knitting, I never thought of it offending anyone. Still, I probably would agree with the idea that in a less casual and intimate setting, like a book group, class, or meeting, knitting could be considered impolite. Waiting rooms, family settings, etc., are perfect. As for a man being annoyed because a woman seemed to be knitting and wasn’t giving him her full attention, how ironic is that?

I often knit in lectures and classes. If it’s a small group I will usually ask the professor if he minds (no one has ever said that they did) and I assure them that it helps to keep me alert and listening to the class, and that I can easily put my work down to take notes if I need to. In larger situations I will make sure I’m sitting somewhere unobtrusive. I’ve found that people will often come and talk to me about my knitting and that it’s an easy way for people to remember me!

I can’t imagine people being offended by someone knitting. And if they are, then perhaps they have a problem that they need to deal with. Talking to some one else when someone is talking, cell phones ringing, texting during meetings, outting lipstick on while at the dinner table, – all of these things offend and are perhaps dangerous in certain situations. Knitting is something I do with my hands – when in a class for instance, I would not try to knit a complicated pattern, but I would certainly have no compunction about knitting the scarves I make for the childrens’ orphanages in China. If people have a problem with that, maybe they should go and see the orphanages themselves before they comment.

I don’t knit well, but I do crochet in class, and I don’t think any of my teachers are offended. I’m in college, and my time management isn’t always great, so when homework needs to get done, sleep usually gets skimped on. After two weeks of falling asleep in most of my classes, I gave up and brought crocheting, because I think I can learn a whole lot better while awake, even if my hands are busy and my eyes are sometimes distracted, than while asleep.

I get it. People tend to listen better when they knit. It’s fine to knit in public, waiting for a bus, at a coffeeshop, etc. But it is RUDE to knit during a big meeting or if you are on an interview panel. Those are 2 examples that I have seen and was embarrassed. I work in a school and was mortified that a member of the school board sat in our meeting and knitted which lead to 2 teachers knitting. Part of being a groown up is learning to sit politely even when it doesn’t suit your needs/interests!! The rest of us do not break out the coloring books or polish silverware. Grow up.

It’s rude is to ignore the people around you at a meeting or gathering in favor of amusing yourself in your own little world. It’s established that knitters can attend to and participate in what’s going on around them while they knit. What’s left is that even if it actually helps the knitter pay better attention, some people still interpret knitting as signaling boredom. I’m thinking especially of those who acknowledge that knitting helps some people listen better and yet still label it rude. Knitting disappeared from the public eye when it ceased to be a necessity. Presumably that was when people lost the understanding that knitting was not a sign of inattention. It’s now up to us to bring back this awareness.